Consistent function calls

[Matt R]

Given this code:

defmodule Foo do
  def bar(i), do: i * 2
end

anon = fn (i) -> i * 2 end

import Foo

Foo.bar(3) # 6
Foo.bar 3 # 6
bar(3) # 6
bar 3 # 6
(&bar/1).(3) # 6
anon.(3) # 6

3 |> Foo.bar() # 6
3 |> Foo.bar # 6
3 |> bar() # 6
3 |> bar # 6
3 |> (&bar/1).() # 6
3 |> anon.() # 6

Both are functions, one anonymous one defined in a module. Yet calling them is very different, starting with the dot before the parenthesis for the anonymous function. Also, you can't call it without parenthesis, unlike named functions

Is there a reason for this distinction?

If not, I propose to remove that distinction and have the call be the same. 

[Eric Meadows-Jönsson]

This has been discussed many times in the past. You can find discussions on the mailing lists and other places by searching.

Here is one of the explanations: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18011784/why-are-there-two-kinds-of-functions-in-elixir

Here is a discussion about changing the behaviour (although old) which might give some additional insight: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/elixir-lang-core/_kEBXO0NRDY/fmdkDvCHLsEJ

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Eric Meadows-Jönsson